Thursday, March 18, 2010
I have company coming today— a beautiful princess named Lena and her mother and my other sister. Lena's little sister stayed home with Daddy, a little too young for the shenanigans we have planned.
And since, my college girl was home last week, and since she is a force of mayhem like no other, my house looks like Hurricane Odawg came in to say Hello. I have to at least make it livable before my guests arrive. So, that means no time to post.
For today, a re-run, a great snapshot of my Darling, Darling Hubby, a Renaissance man of the New Age. And for the record, since this post, my Hubby has lost 28 pounds. Go Hubby!
My Hubby is a man of many passions. His interests are vast and varied, some, total extremes from each other. But, the one common link his passions have is, it gives him a chance to shop. He is a boy shopaholic. Now, he's not a shopaholic when it comes to shopping for clothes or shoes. He finds that more painful than the thought of a vasectomy. He groans and wails when that kind of shopping is mentioned. No. His shopping is on a completely different level. I'll give you some examples.
He's a big lover of everything Mac. This is wonderful and annoying, depending on the circumstance.
I love that laptop. I'm pretty sure I love that laptop more than my kids— but that's just between us, Internet.
And yes, he stood in line for 12 hours when the original Iphone was launched. Actually . . . he didn't stand in line for 12 hours, Tori and I stood in line for the first 7 hours until he could join us.
I had no intention of doing such a moronic thing. I mean, it wasn't Springsteen tickets!
When he called me in the early morning on the day of the IPhone launch saying, "I'm hung up with a client and I'm not gonna make it to the launch until later in the day and I just know it'll be too late. I'll have to," The brokenhearted sob traveled through the phone lines. "be put on the WAITING LIST!" The crushing sadness was too much for me to bear.
So, I dropped what I was doing, grabbed my Tori girl who's always up for a good time, packed up our chairs and camped in front of the AT&T store. We made some friends who also worship at the altar of Steve Jobs, took turns getting pedicures at the nail salon behind our little camp, played Mac product charades with the other Apple geeks and shared pizza with our new Apple friends. The Hubby met us there after work. He told us we could take off, but by that time we had too many friends and Victoria was winning at the Mac Charades. (Duh, we have every product!) We were way too invested.
He's so much of a Mac guy that the last time we went to the Apple store in our mall, the hipster sales clerk greeted him with a hug and a, "Hey, what's up, Man. Where you been?"
And my Hubby's all, "I've been in California for the last two weeks. But don't you worry, I went to the Apple store up there 3 times."
This is the annoying part of the Mac hobby because everytime we were within a few miles of the store his divining rod of a body would lead him there and he'd be like, "I just need to see this one thing." And hours later we'd still be heavily ensconced in some really lame, snoozefest conversation with the cute Mac Dude with plugs in his ears. I mean, please, how deep does your techie knowledge have to go! For real! Turn on the computer and just have at it like normal people.
If he could do it without dying, I know he'd give Steve Jobs his pancreas.
He's also a wine collector. Wine is probably one of his most ardent passions. His ultimate dream would be to live in The Motherland, Sonoma, California and make wine. I find nothing annoying about wine and his shopping addiction to it. Wine is my Jesus Juice.
He's also a big foodie. This has its bad and good. The good—his food is fabulous. Not only is his food, scrumdilicious, he's also big on presentation.
I knew nothing about presentation when I married him. The first time I attempted dinner and said, like my mother before me, "Yo, dinner's in the pot on the stove. Have at it." He had a Martha Stewart conniption fit.
He was all, "You have to put the food on serving dishes and put the flavored salt (He collects salt. Who collects salt?) in little bowls and you have to use real plates, not this paper shit."
And since I grew up in a home where every Friday was Fish Stick Friday with a cookie sheet full of those frozen treats, I'm going, "You're f*#*ing with me, right?"
And he's rolling his eyes, Martha style, proclaiming, "Presentation is EVERYTHING."
This means we spend a ton of time in William Sonoma and other booooring kitchen places, searching endlessly for presentation. I don't like that part of his foodie personality. I especially don't like the 150 dishes and bowls he uses at every meal because I don't care how pretty it makes the food look, it's just gonna get in ma belly. I'm the one who has to wash all the presentation.
And then there was the time he discovered this:
For those of you not familiar with The Big Green Egg, it's a big-ass ceramic, smoker and grill, in avocado green, that cooks up some fine and dandy meats, I will admit. He bought an egg and proceeded to fall in love with it.
One night, right after he'd bought it, we were watching the TV and he had his Apple laptop in front of him, plugging away at a fast and furious rate and I said "What are you doing?"
He got all sheepish, because he knew what was coming, but he had to tell me anyway. He said, "Uh, I found this Green Egg forum where everybody chats about their Green Eggs."
And I said, "No, you are NOT in a chat room, chatting up other Big Green Egg freaks. I am so telling everybody we know."
And he got all worked up, blabbering, " I don't care who you tell! Real Big Green Egg owners understand their need to talk about their eggs. And they have an annual Eggtoberfest where you can go and meet other Eggheads and bring your Egg and all cook together! We're goin!"
I looked at him as he typed away furiously and said, "You can go hang with the other Eggheads. I'm not going to an Egg convention....well, unless AIG is putting it on!"
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009
It's Not A Purse-It's A Satchel
He owns everything there is to own with the Apple logo on it whether he needs it or not, always purchasing whatever Apple gizmo its first day on the market.
I thought it a wonderful hobby, well worth his shopping time, a few years back when he walked in the door with a Macbook Pro for me, exclaiming, "Welcome to the Wonderful World of Mac. Kiss your PC goodbye!"
I love that laptop. I'm pretty sure I love that laptop more than my kids— but that's just between us, Internet.
We've come to a point where we need to drink down our collection. It's a tough problem to have.
For those of you not familiar with The Big Green Egg, it's a big-ass ceramic, smoker and grill, in avocado green, that cooks up some fine and dandy meats, I will admit. He bought an egg and proceeded to fall in love with it.
When we moved out to the sticks, he decided he didn't want to pay the small fortune it would take to have someone mow our forest. He was going to do it, himself. And like everything else, he was going to do it in his shopping style. He chose as his weapon against growing grass, a mowing machine called a Dixie Chopper.
Like the Big Green Egg, this is also something only men know about. When he came home and announced, he purchased this mowing Rolls Royce, the girls and I looked at him blankly.
He was shocked at our lawn mower ignorance. He was shocked that we didn't know the Chopper had a zero turning radius, (um, yeah, no idea), and that it was the world's fastest mower.
The Chopper people made a big deal over this mower, bringing it to our house on its own flat-bed trailer. My Hubby stood dancing in excitement at the door waiting for its arrival. When it came, he invited the Dixie Chopper Dude who sold him the Chopper, in for a cup of coffee and to meet me. Whatever.
Now, I have to say, the Dude was a very nice man, very nice. But, there was this one thing . . . He had no hands. They'd been amputated in a terrible accident several years back. And even though he was very nice and personable and all, I just kept thinking to myself, is this the best representative for a lawn mowing company? Wouldn't you be thinking, when he was trying to sell it to you, "Yeah, I'm not going anywhere near their choppers! I see what happens, man."
The Dixie Chopper Dude was also there to give The Hubby his orientation and tutoring seminar. That's right, tutoring seminar. My Hubby was already heading out the door ready to take down some grass, before the man had time to take a sip of his coffee. The no-handed salesman turned to me and said, "Are you coming for the seminar?"
I could hear My Hubby's laughter trailing behind him, as he ran outside to greet his new chopper. I said to the Chopper man, "Oh, no thanks. I don't do lawns."
And he said, "You sure? It's pretty addictive. My Momma loved it so much, she insisted on mowing the lawn herself, every week. She said it was her therapy, her time to be with the Lord."
Now, I love the Lord. I do. But, I do not feel the need to be with him while sitting on top of a lawn mower getting all sweaty and dirty. I think the Lord will listen to me while I am in the bubble bath just as well.
It's pretty neat to watch my Hubby on his lawn mower. It's super fast and when he whizzes by us as we sit in our air conditioning, it's good for a laugh. He looks like a Speedy Gonzales lawn mowing man cartoon.
And then there's his other passion. He loves to shoot guns.
Now, before anyone gets their drawers all knotty, let me say, he never, ever shoots living things of any kind. He's not that kind of dude. He only shoots mechanical targets and clay pigeons, nothing else. He's also very responsible and very safe with his weapons. He is the son of a Marine. He learned to respect guns long ago.
But, just like his other passions, he constantly adds to this one, culling the catalogs and internet for anything that strikes his fancy.
This came in the mail the other day.
I don't bother opening the packages, that come to our door on a daily basis. He's the shopaholic, not me.
I don't bother opening the packages, that come to our door on a daily basis. He's the shopaholic, not me.
I pointed at the newest package when the Hubby came home. He ripped it open and gasped, "My ammo bag is here!" He was already changing out of his work clothes. He strapped that "ammo bag" across his chest and turned to face me . . . in just his drawers.
My instinctual reaction was to bust a gut laughing and say, "You've gone and bought yourself a purse! And a fine, pretty one at that."
He immediately said, "It's not a purse! It's a pouch to hold my ammo when I shoot."
I said, "OK, Hangover Guy. But, it's still a purse. Stay still. I've got to get a picture of this!"
He immediately slung off his purse in a huff and said, "Why, so you can mock me on your blog? And It's not a purse. It's an ammo pouch made from the finest leather in England."
And I said, "If you're going to wear a purse, I have every right to mock you on my blog. In fact— it is necessary."
He wouldn't put the purse back on. He just hung it on around the mirror of his dresser, where I eyed it up, thinking it really would make a gorgeous purse for the Fall season.
My Victoria came trouncing through the room the next day and stopped short with a gasp of wonder, "What is that?" she said pointing at the fine English leather.
I said casually, "Oh, that's your Dad's new purse."
She didn't even miss a beat, like her dad brings home new purses everyday. "Can I borrow it? It would look great with my outfit."
I said, "Honey, I don't think your dad likes to share his fashions."
She tried.
But, he caught her, trying to sneak off with his ammo purse. He's since filled up his purse with shotgun shells and hidden it away from our purse lusting hands. This is one shopping hobby I think I'm going to like. Maybe, the girls and I will start a new fashion trend, Ammo Purses.
Today's Download This: AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long." See, my Ipod has been lostmisplaced by ODawg someone. I know, right? And yesterday, I had a day full of good wife and mom chores and there was no way I could get through all those soul-killing deeds without some music, so I grabbed one of The Hubby's Ipods. Another good thing about his Mac Love, we have an abundance of Ipods, since there are new generations being born every day.
I set if for shuffle, cause that's how I roll. Surprise Me. And I was like, "What the Hell?"
It was marching music. That's right. Marching Music. "It's A Grand Ole Flag," to be exact. I thought, who downloads marching music and when is he listening to this— on his Dixie Chopper? So I skipped to the next song. It was a song by Mudvayne. I'm not sure of the song's name. As soon as I heard that satanic, monster voice in my ears, I got so scared, I changed that song as fast as my trembling hands could click.
I swear to you, I am not making this up when the next song on the shuffled playlist was something by Angela Lansbury. Now I ask you, Internet, who under the age of 80, thinks, "Hmm, I think I'm going to download some Angela Lansbury tunes today?"
I started shuffling through his playlist and I am convinced after viewing his vast array of musical genres that he just logs onto the Itunes, closes his eyes and purchases away. What else can explain Andre 3000 on the same playing field as The Carpenters. Yes, the Carpenters.
I'm not even going to ask.
But, for today, a fantastically, misogynistic song with a great beat that kept me sorting socks all day and for that, Angus Young, I will be forever grateful.
But, he caught her, trying to sneak off with his ammo purse. He's since filled up his purse with shotgun shells and hidden it away from our purse lusting hands. This is one shopping hobby I think I'm going to like. Maybe, the girls and I will start a new fashion trend, Ammo Purses.
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25 comments:
LMAO Ok, just the picture, I honestly thought "wow, I love that purse!"
The Egg thing had me laughing. Seriously? A chat for Eggheads??
Loved this post. Have fun with your company over the weekend!
You don't have to clean for us. House guests and 4-year-olds are mess makers. Its a rule! I love this post. I don't think I've ever known anyone with interests that are as diverse as his. We're lucky to have him with all of his girly, yet gun-toting ways.
I have read this post before, but I enjoyed reading it again, taking my time this time 'round. I first read it while reading your entire blog as fast as I could because I had just "found" you.
I hope you have a great time with your visitors!
WoW! It sounds like he keeps your life interesting!
Now Joann, as much as I have decided I love you and that we are separated kindred spirits, I might just love the husband MORE! I just adore the fact that he throws himself into his interests. That he researches and enjoys the hunt as much as the acquisition. And most of all I seriously love that wine cellar!
I have the perfect room in my basement to be a wine cellar but it is currently housing my Christmas decorations, Halloween/Day of the Dead decorations, Easter decorations, 5 gazillion jigsaw puzzles and Monopoly games. I need a new room to put those in first and then it will be wine cellar time!!
You done good, girl, on the husband choosing is what I have to say!!
Ok, I just saw The Hangover for the first time the other day, and I have two things to say about that. 1) "Indiana Jones wears one!" 2) Dear Jesus, Mary and Joseph...Bradley Cooper is H.O.T.
I can't believe your wine collection. Seriously, cannot believe it. That's just crazy. Please send me some of your extra. Trust me, you'll never miss it. ;)
Oh, and the presentation thing? Yeah, my goal when cooking is to use as few pots/pans/dishes as possible. We serve out of the pot on the stove, or the dish that came out of the oven. I think that whomever desires all the presentation dishes? Should be the one that washes them. I'm just sayin'.
I've put you on my google reader. Yes, you're that funny and I need to keep up. Later toots!
Big kudos to Big Daddy for shedding the tonnage. Help him keep it off for good. And dude, I am so envious of the wine cellar. That was my omg moment for today.
I don't care that your post is a rerun, it's hilarious!
My husband, TheManTheMyth is all about KTM dirt bikes. That's his Mac (he's computer-challenged). If he doesn't go to the KTM shop, aka "The Mothership," at least once a week, he starts getting twitchy. And they'll call him to see if everything is ok.
"Ammo bag?" Please. It's a purse. A really nice purse. Reminds me of that Progressive Insurance commercial: "It's a European Shoulder Bag!"
That looks suspiciously like a purse to me, but you know, what do I know?
I have a purse just like that in black. Coach made it. I love it. I suppose you could put ammo in it. I would give a pancreas for that wine cellar. That's called heaven.
OMG I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE WINE COLLECTION!!!
can you lock me in there for just one night? LOL
Looks like a Dooney and Bourke to me!
Found your blog through SITS and had to check it out--love the title. I was told years ago that the reason we have out-of-town company is so that we have to clean our house. Enjoy your visit.
Oh Joann, if my husband and I weren't such loners, you would be our BFF.
Your husband is hilarious! I am totally going to make the mistake of showing this post to my husband and then I am sure he is going to become obsessed with the mower and the egg, but that is OK because he needs to read this.
My husband LOVES to shop for EVERYTHING!!! He has more shoes and clothes that I do. It is sheer craziness.
The manbag/man purse? All I can say is that it really has some nice clean and classic lines! I bet the leather smells wonderful too. How many times has it been borrowed by you girls???
You make me laugh out loud. And not in that "lol" way. And your husband sounds great! We've actually investigated the "egg." I've stumbled onto some of the forums! Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but "eggtoberfest" may have reeled me in!
Great bag, by the way, I would totally carry it. Perfect to carry your lipstick as well as your "heat."
I love that you named your post after a line from the Hangover!!
Got a lot of blogs to reply to, but I will be coming back to read more!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
oh honey. after reading this post i thought "dang. some day i HAVE to meet this people." for real. cuz y'all really got it goin on with your badselves. hope your having a good time with the visitors.
Have a great day with your sisters! Mine lives really far away and I miss being able to spend time with her. Happy SITS Sharefest
Joann, do you know how scared I was that you were talking about my husband until you showed the picture???? I couldn't believe it! They are shopping Mac brothers separated at birth! Ok my pulse rate is starting to come down. Whew.
That is SOOOO a purse. But it's an awesome ... and manly ... purse. :)
I must say, I am COMPLETELY jealous of the wine collection! OMG! I have dreamed about a setup like that since I wrote an article about state-of-the-art wine cellars a few years back. Although honestly, it'd be full of sweet whites since that's pretty much all I drink. :) But oh, to have such a beautiful place to store my Moscato! Mmm-mmmmm! :)
Have fun with your company this weekend!
My husband is so boring compared to yours. He only shops for video games and sports paraphernalia.
I hope you are having a fun weekend with your company.
i really love your posting style, very charming.
don't quit and keep writing in all honesty , because it just well worth to look through it.
excited to look into a lot more of your own content pieces, have a pleasant day :)
this was a rip-roaring good read! I think our hubbies were separated at birth (the obsession with food presentation, wine and grilling-mine has been aching for a green egg, but we had a baby instead...LOL!). I have to come back and read more about you two!
Thanks for visiting me on SITS Saturday!
Dude. That? Is a purse. It doesn't matter what you put in it. A purse.
*snort*
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